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A question for certain advocates of Reformed rap

Michael Riley asks whether (assuming, for the sake of argument, that music is adiaphora) a “stronger brother” in those cases should publicly celebrate something that others find biblically problematic.

Scott Aniol is the founder and Executive Director of Religious Affections Ministries. He is Chair of the Worship Ministry Department at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he teaches courses in ministry, worship, hymnology, aesthetics, culture, and philosophy. He is the author of Worship in Song: A Biblical Approach to Music and Worship, Sound Worship: A Guide to Making Musical Choices in a Noisy World, and By the Waters of Babylon: Worship in a Post-Christian Culture, and speaks around the country in churches and conferences. He is an elder in his church in Fort Worth, TX where he resides with his wife and four children. Views posted here are his own and not necessarily those of his employer.

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3 Responses to A question for certain advocates of Reformed rap

Interesting question. I didn’t listen to the podcast, but if it’s like every other conversation that has been going on in regards to this topic, it’s the “stronger” brother talking about being judged by the “weaker” brother. I think it’s different then judging the weaker brother for listening to only a certain type of music. In the spirit of the beginning or Romans 14, I haven’t witnessed any “stronger” brother denying fellowship with the “weaker” brother, in fact I see the opposite. The “stronger” brother has reached out and asked to speak with the “weaker” brother. So unity in the church hasn’t been an issue from that standpoint, but ironically it’s the “weaker” brother in this type of debate that usually warn for the need to separate.(I haven’t heard that this week, but when Curtis Allen rapped at Piper’s church, I heard many saying that in regards to Piper.)

I’m going to study/ponder on Romans 14:22 more as your question is a good one. Thanks Mike!

In this case, since the “weaker brother” is a group of middle-aged men in church leadership (and also includes mostly middle-aged to older aged seasoned Christians), I’d say it’s time they “grow up” and mature in their faith. They’re not newbies, so it’s time to stop being ignorant to the topics they speak to and guide policy on.

at least in this case, wouldn’t you say the panel violated Romans 14? “let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgement on the one who eats.” I think there is room to be a reformed rapper without throwing it in the face of those who abstain. However, the panel calls for a response when they pass judgement. be as uncomfortable as you want with rap, dislike it from the depths of who you are, but to call a brother, who “is fully convinced in his own mind.” a disobedient coward is sinful.